A Special Thank You!

I would really like to thank Cynthia for her positive support and encouragement as we have shared a course together. She has opened me up to the ideas of Reggio Emilia, shared the importance of child observation, and inspired me to self-reflect more often. She has also shared many of her beautiful and meaningful classroom experiences which I will remember and learn from. Her wise spirit has transcended from the computer screen so much that I know, without having met her in person, that she would always be there to support my efforts in this amazing field! Thank you Cynthia!

Examining Codes of Ethics

Course Resource Section #3

A great text that I have come across in my early childhood studies has been Infant and Toddler Development and Responsive Program Planning, by Donna Wittmer and Sandra Petersen. This book does an excellent job explaining the relationship-based approach to teaching and child care. It has deeply helped me to understand the way that emotional attachments affect the development of a child. This book also guides a teacher into developing successful relationships with parents.

The Zero to Three organization has developed a series of 12 podcasts titled Little Kids, Big Question. It covers topics such as sleep, emotional development, crying, healthy habits, and more! The experts interviewed in this series really help you learn how to put research into practice. To download the podcasts visit the website: http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/

We all experience times in our lives when we are in need of inspiration. I like to get inspired by the moving and wise quotes of Maria Montessori. Her vision of early childhood education is still revolutionary to me. I am currently spending much of my time blending her methods in with present day technology and age appropriate practices. To get my fix, I visit http://www.dailymontessori.com/maria-montessori-quotes/.  I also use this website for Montessori quotes to put into my monthly newsletters to parents.

Course Resource Section #2

As early childhood professionals, we must all verse ourselves on the rights of children. By knowing and understanding their rights, we can better advocate for their well-being. Visit UNICEF’s website http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf to learn more!

Course Resource Section #1

Early childhood professionals can do more that just report abuse or neglect when we believe it is occurring; we can help to prevent it! Learn the facts of child abuse and how it can be prevented or reported by visiting: http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf. This website will lead you to NAEYC’s article “Where We Stand on Child Abuse Prevention” (2009).

Inspiring Quotes

“Teachers themselves have the power to be playful and joyful with the children, establish warm positive relationships, speak kindly, and make learning fun.” -Sue Bredekamp, (2011).
I love the idea that teachers have the “power” to create a positive learning environment in their classrooms. Despite circumstances, we can change the lives of young children by providing this safe and loving space for them to grow and develop. Speaking kindly and making learning fun is something that all early childhood professionals should be doing, and through this we obtain our power to educate every child.

 "Children benefit most from teachers who have the skills, knowledge, and judgment to make good decisions and are given the opportunity to use them." -Sue Bredekamp, NAEYC.
This quote reminds me that as teachers we are always learners. We must always strive to learn about DAP, current research, and what’s new in early education. As society changes so should we, while still remaining true to DAP and being sensitive to culture and diversity. We can only benefit our students if we hold the proper skills to make decisions in their benefit.

“Being considerate in life will take your children further in life than any college degree.” -Marian Wright Edelman.
I love this quote because over-all I believe that teaching grace and courtesy should be included on every classroom’s lesson plan. The young children in my class are there primarily to learn how to interact with their peers and with other adults. To be polite and a good friend is an incredible important social skill that will get you far in life.

“I had a built in passion that it was important that I make a contribution to the world, to fix all the injustice in the world. And I wanted to do this through teaching.” –Louise Derman-Sparks, Professor Emeritus, Pacific Oaks College, CA.
To teach is to make a contribution to the future of our society. What a powerful position to be able to guide children down the wonderful path of life! This quote humbles me and helps me to feel the gravity and importance of our roles as educators.

“My passion has been evolving through the years, it’s an ongoing process, like a ripple when you throw a rock and the center ignites.” – Leticia Lara LCSW, Regional Manager, Outreach and Professional Development, Zero to Three.
 The passion that I had when I first began teaching had grown and expanded through the years. At first, I simply wanted to help children to discover the world around them. Now that I have been exposed to those in need, I want to give learning opportunities to all children as it is their right. Passion should be growing, expanding, and changing as we learn and have new experiences.

 Resources:
 Bredekamp, S. (2011). Q&A With the Editors of Developmentally Appropriate Practice. NAEYC. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/event/developmetnally-appropriate-practice
 Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. NAEYC.
 Wright Edelman, M. Marian Wright Edelman Quotes. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marian_wright_edelman.html
 Course Media. The passion for early childhood. Walden University.

Personal Childhood Web- Granny

My great-grandmother, Della Owens, was a truly amazing woman. She was widowed in her early forties and left to raise and support six children, working many jobs to do so. By the end of her life, at the age of 94, she had outlived four of her own children. I was one of her many great-grandchildren, but somehow I felt like I was the only one. I often spent the night with her in her apartment in a retirement community. She always had bean soup and cornbread hot and ready for dinner. She would let me walk around and explore her community, getting candy from the other residents. Her hugs were out of this world, the kind that you can feel in your soul. At night, we would sometimes still be cold under her electric blanket. She would tell me to put my feet on the backs of her legs to keep them warm. Even in her very old age, she was always putting the well-being of others before herself. Even though her life was filled with tragedy, she was eternally grateful for everything that she had, which wasn't much. The matriarch of the family, she nurtured and loved everyone. A few members of the family struggled with alcoholism and/or drug use. She never turned her back on them and always had faith that the Lord would intervene. Her influence of faith and endurance is still and inspiration to me. I feel so grateful to have come from such a strong woman.

Personal Childhood Web- Stevie

My uncle Stevie is by far one of the best people that I know. He has Down syndrome and above all has taught me that a person's disability does not define who they are. He works, has hobbies, and great friends. It is impossible to feel sad in his presence because he has a way of lifting up your spirits. His disability is one that is very visible and causes many people to judge his ability. It would often bother me when people starred or made a comment about him, but it never bothered him. He knows who he is and is confident in his own abilities. I could only hope for his level of self-confidence. He came to live with us when my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. As I grew up, he always had the time to hang out with me. He still lives with my mother, in a duplex house so that he has his own apartment. I can't wait to visit home again so that he and I can do our special hand shake :o).

Personal Childhood Web- Buddy

When I was two years old, my mother married a wonderful man who I called Buddy. He became my second father, totally different from my biological father. My real father was born in New York, a college grad, well read, and loved to wear fancy suits. Buddy was an over-all wearing farmer, who read at a fifth grade level, and rarely combed his hair. But he was real, in every sense of the word. Full of common sense and good will, he taught me how to be smart in the real world, always working hard and standing up for my rights. Even though my real father was always in my life, Buddy was the dad that I sat at the dinner table with and talked about my day to. He truly raised me to be a respectful individual, trying to teach me everything he could. I he always treated me as if I were his biological daughter. He made my childhood in southern KY magical by bringing my mother and I to live on the farm . When he was 18 years old he was badly burned in a factory fire. 30% of his body was scarred from his burns. The funny thing is that I did not notice his burns, they were invisible to me because I knew the man that he was. He taught me that appearance is not as important as the person inside. When we would go places, people would look at the two of us and stay, "She must have gotten her looks from her mother..." We would just laugh and smile at each other. In August of 2010, Buddy was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. During the next seven months our family worked hard to overcome this battle. He was strong, brave, and bold living life to the fullest. He passed away April 8th, 2011 with my mother and myself by his side. As the man that I would call when I needed advise, needed reassurance, or just needed to talk it is still strange that he is not here. It is hard to go on when such an important person in your life is missing. Somewhere, he is smiling at the fact that I am about to finally get my college degree. But his spirit and influence are still with me today, telling me to stay strong and achieve my dreams.

Personal Childhood Web- Dad

He often tells the story, "I was 49 years of age when I had to start changing diapers again..." Indeed my mother was 29 and my father 49 when I was born. After dating for a short while, my mother became pregnant with me. They married, but only for six months understanding that they weren't meant to be together. None the less, I have the greatest respect for both of my parents as they have never fought or spoken a cross word about each other to me. Even though I lived with my mother, my father's house was right down the street. I saw him a few times a week for dinners and overnight stays. He always made sure that I got the best education, starting with a Montessori preschool. This was untimetly what inspired me to become a Montessori preschool teacher myself. Every night that I stayed with him he would read many stories to me. As an avid reader he helped me to also develop a love for books. He always took the time to teach me proper manners. Even though he was not religious, he would take me to church hoping that it would instill great moral value within me. My dad is 78 years old now and struggling with failing health. His determination to stay strong and persevere is something that I hope has passed down to me. Here he is wearing a clover hair band that I made for him as a joke...

Personal Childhood Web- Mama

My mother is by far the most influential and important person in my life. To nurture is in her blood and soul, she does it effortlessly. As a natural care taker, having my brother and myself to raise wasnt' enough for her. She worked as a foster parent for children with special needs. We had many children stay with us throughout the years who had many different disabilities including deafness, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. Through her work, she instilled in me an acceptance for disabled people, teaching me that their individual needs and thoughts are as important as anyone else's. No matter who else she was caring for, she always made time for me. As a past hippie, she ingrained in me a respect for nature. We were constantly going on hikes, playing outside, or going to parks. To this day she tells me that she "loves me more than the world". She also tells me that I make her day when I call her and say "Mama". Even though she and my father were only married for six months, she has never shown me any negative feelings towards him. She remarried to my step-father when I was two saying that she fell in love with him when she saw how well he interacted with me. Her name is Lisa, and she is a person who I adore, cherish, and hope to always honor. Here she is giving me a whipped cream pie for my first birthday in 1984.

This is a picture of me at the age of 15 months. I am giving my dad his hat back on a rather warm January day. I am fortunate that most of my childhood was spent outdoors in beautiful southern Kentucky. A few year from this picture, my father enrolled me into a small Montessori preschool program. This thoughtful decision is what sparked my own decision to become a Montessori teacher. Thanks Dad!

Behavior or Sensory?

My goal for this school year has been to look at my students through a different lens. Rather than assuming that a “difficult” child has behavior issues, I will first question whether the child has sensory integration problems. As young children are developing their nervous systems and figuring out what is going on inside and outside of their bodies, sometimes the sensations that they are experiences are confusing, inaccurate, or uncomfortable for them. In this case, how would we expect them to behave? Here is a link to a helpful article on this subject: http://school.familyeducation.com/sensory-integration/parenting/56288.html. Please join me in the effort to addressing sensory issues and helping our students to learn in a world that makes sense to their bodies!

A Great Book for Young Children

One of my favorite books to read to my class of two and three year olds is When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang. Receiving the Caldecott honor in 2000, this book tells the story of a young girl who is learning to self-sooth her emotions. I love the way that the illustrations show emotions in color, outlining Sophie in bright red when she is at her angriest. What an amazingly visual way to showcase feelings to children. This book is a brilliant tool to use when helping young children to learn how to identify and handle their own feelings. I highly recommend this to teachers of any age!

Let the journey begin...

To begin my adventures in early childhood blogging, I would like to share with you a quote from an amazing pioneer in early childhood education: “Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” -Maria Montessori. I love this quote because it sums up why early childhood educators do the work that we do, and have such passion for it. We do not teach so that we can stand over children with authority. We teach because we love and respect the lives of these young people. They are in fact young people, who are simply trying to figure out the world in which they live. Let us always strive to guide them through this task.